Dance Club First Meeting! on Magical Arts Room and Sports

Virginia Bellrose

June 25, 2013 8:41 PM

Dance Club First Meeting! by Virginia Bellrose

Virginia realized after she saw all the notices for clubs what she was missing. She didn’t have roommates to grow close to and she was slow at making friends just through classes. She felt as though she could say that Francesca was a friend. They seemed to get along fine and she always found herself with the girl in social situations. Adam was probably her friend as well, or, at the very least, he didn’t seem to hate being around her. She had hoped that Gemma was also a friend, but they hadn’t really spoken much, so Ginny could only assume that meant that they weren’t. But, she really wanted to make more friends and she felt a club would be the best way to branch out.

The only problem was that she didn’t know if she fit into the clubs that were already formed. She rode horses before but couldn’t say she loved it too much, she never baked and only preferred to eat the sweets, and well, books were somewhat of a bore to her. But there was something that she just loved to do and she was hoping that there would be others who equally enjoyed the experience as well. Dancing.

Ginny wasn’t sure how many people (or if any at all) would show up for a club that she was putting together, but she thought it would be something fun to try. This way, she was able to meet people who enjoyed the same thing as she did and she was able to practice her ballet like her instructor wanted to do. She was really hoping that this would be a good way for everyone to become friends, but she knew that being a Second year would mean that there would be some hesitation in joining her club.

Written on a pale pink (her favorite color) was her message for fellow dancers:

Do you enjoy dancing? So do I! Let’s do it together!

Please join me in the Room Three of MARS for a gathering of fellow dancers, Saturday at Two O’Clock. We will discuss the many different genres of dance, of our experiences with dance, and of course, do some dancing! Even if you have never danced or don’t know how to but still wish to participate with everyone, you are more than welcomed to come too!

First meeting will be a meet and greet of the members and to discuss what it is that we are hoping for in the club as well as the types of dancing that you have enjoyed or have talents in. I can’t wait to see all of you for some dancing!

Yours Truly,

Virginia Bellrose

She really did hope that some people came out to the club. Ginny wasn’t sure how she would feel if no one showed up other than a huge amount of humiliation, but at least she could say that she was actively trying to put herself out there and do something that she loved.

Ginny had placed the notice on the board near Cascade Hall because she had felt that would have gotten the most notice. Now she was sitting in the dance room of MARS waiting for some people to begin to show up. She had managed to get some water and juice with snacks from the elves. It hadn’t been too terribly difficult as they seemed eager to help, but she was grateful to them just the same. She had even asked that they continue to provide these treats every other Saturday for the time being.

When people began to arrive, Ginny stood and gave them all a warm, happy, smile. “Hello everyone!” She greeted when everyone had found a seat. “My name is Virginia Bellrose, but I prefer to be called Ginny. I decided to start this club because I enjoy dancing and I figured, there would be others around who enjoy it too.” She explained. “Since this meeting is purely about getting to know each other and our dances, I’ll start us out. My dance of choice is Ballet, but I’m completely open to other styles of dances as well. I’ve been dancing since I was three. My parents felt that ballet would help me become graceful and elegant.” Ginny felt that was a good enough start.

“Okay, who is next?”

Subthreads:

Please no ballet. by Adam Spencer

6 Virginia Bellrose Dance Club First Meeting! 0 Virginia Bellrose 1 5

Adam Spencer

June 25, 2013 9:23 PM

Please no ballet. by Adam Spencer

There were many clubs that Adam thought looked interesting, but none that really spoke to him. He didn't know much about horses, but he liked how they looked. He had never had the opportunity to ride a horse since he had lived in the city all his life and he thought it would be a good opportunity to take. However, when he saw the Dance Club being advertised, his interest piqued. He knew how to dance quite well and he knew his mum would enjoy hearing about his experience. Not only that, but one of his friends was heading the club. He had to go now.

Adam had tried to convince Charlotte to go, but she adamantly refused. She enjoyed dancing, but she hated dancing in public, though not as much as she hated speaking in public. She did, however, promise to attend a meeting once Adam had deemed it all right. Things had always been like that. Adam would go check it out and tell Charlotte every detail about the event and the next time Charlotte would either decide to attend or not. Usually she would, attached to her brother's arm, and he didn't mind it. It was the natural course of things and he had been taught to act as the leader, as a wizard, and that witches should all be demure and well-mannered. He had also learnt that witches were much more into dancing than wizards, but that didn't stop him from attending Ginny's club.

When he entered the MARS room, he realised he had no idea what sort of dancing Ginny had in mind for this club. He hoped it wasn't ballet or something else equally embarrassing. If it was, Adam would be out of there quick. He took a breath before walking into the room and smiling at Ginny. "Good afternoon, Ginny. Taking quite the initiative with a Dance Club, aren't you? It's a brilliant idea." He hoped more wizards his age showed. He didn't doubt several witches would show and that thought was a bit disconcerting.

The meeting began with or without his peers and Adam took a seat and watched Ginny introduce herself. There was a pause after her introduction and he decided to go himself. He stood and looked at everyone who had decided to come. "My name is Adam Spencer and I have been ballroom dancing since I was five. It was part of my pure-blood etiquette lessons and, surprisingly enough, I've come to enjoy it." He sat back down and looked to the next person to go. Hopefully this would be a promising club.

40 Adam Spencer Please no ballet. 257 Adam Spencer 0 5

Irina Volkov

June 26, 2013 1:37 PM

I may be in over my head. by Irina Volkov

When Irina had seen the Dance Club sign-ups, she had seriously considered passing up on it, but then her plan would have been ruined. She had every intention of joining every single club that came about. Extracurricular activities were what pushed one over the edge when being considered for university and she had every intention of getting into a top tier one – either Harvard or Yale, magical branch, of course. Everyone applying to those schools would have stellar grades. No, it was things like this that would get her where she wanted to go.

So, while dance was not among her favorite activities, there was no way she could afford to miss out. That was how she found herself on Saturday afternoon at two o’clock in Room Three of MARS wearing something other than her normal self-imposed school uniform of plaid skirts and crisp button down shirts. After all, she didn’t want her uniform to get gross with sweat from dancing. Instead, the Aladren had been practical. Irina had opted for a pair of black leggings, a purple t-shirt, and sneakers. The outfit was the one she reserved for activities that required physical assertion. She hated wearing it, because it made her feel unprofessional.

Irina waited around with the others for the meeting to start. Once it did, she was surprised that the girl heading the charge didn’t look much older than her. The girl introduced herself as Virginia Bellrose or Ginny. She would have to remember that. She knew she was completely out of her league when Ginny stated she had been taking ballet since she was three. Ballet was one of the most elegant dances there was and probably one of the hardest. A respect formed for the girl. It took extreme dedication to practice such an art. Her cousin, Dima, was among those with such dedication.

Unfortunately, that ended her introduction and it was the next person’s turn, which meant it was just that much closer to her turn. Adam went next. She had met him in Transfiguration. She was surprised to learn that he had experience in dance, but then he was a pureblood, so she supposed that she shouldn’t be so surprised. Then, came the dreaded moment. Her turn. “My name is Irina Volkov. I have also had most of my experience with dance in the form of ballroom dancing.” Her parents had started her out in ballroom dancing, but she had stopped with their deaths. Her guardians had encouraged dance, but she had stopped doing most things and then it had seemed silly to go back to it. Now, though, she had a purpose. “It’s been about four years since I practiced so I guess for me, this is trying to get back into dance.”

0 Irina Volkov I may be in over my head. 0 Irina Volkov 0 5

Charlie B-F-R

June 26, 2013 2:20 PM

That's only an issue in the water room by Charlie B-F-R

Charlie was excited when he saw the notice for the Dance Club. He had nearly joined Henny's book club out of loyalty but she seemed to have plenty of people. He had joined the Baking Club out of the promise of deliciousness. But Dance Club would be fun, and would hopefully burn off any extra calories he was scoffing at Waverly's club.

On the appointed Saturday, he bounced down to the MARS rooms. He didn't use any of the rooms regularly, so the last time he'd been here had been for his pool party. They were rapidly collecting fun memories and he made a note to come and hang out or do things in them more often. The posters had implied that no actual dancing would take place today but he'd dressed accordingly, just in case. He was donning charcoal skinny jeans (boy bands moved in them, so he saw no reason why he shouldn't be able to) and a t-shirt which declared 'I got the moves' (the lack of the requisite auxiliary verb had made Father wince). Topping off this outfit was his prized hat, a grey felt number which he had decorated with the augurey feather he'd found in Care of Magical Creatures.

He listened to everyone's introductions, not surprised or put off by the fact that they mostly did formal kinds of dancing. He knew that was what Purebloods were like but the poster had said that anyone was welcome, and that they were willing to try a bit of everything.

“I'm Charlie,” he beamed, as it got to him, although he thought it was quite unlikely that there was anyone in the school who didn't know this by now. He was hard to miss. “I have no formal dance training but I love busting out moves in my living room to fabulous pop hits. My favourite decade is the 80s – golden era of pop music,” he grinned unabashedly. “But I don't mind trying to learn new things either. You teach me your ballet poses and I'll show you how to do the running man,” he grinned at Ginny.

13 Charlie B-F-R That's only an issue in the water room 252 Charlie B-F-R 0 5

The Anns

June 26, 2013 5:04 PM

That's what makes the water room fun by The Anns

Several club announcements had gone up at the beginning of term. They were signed up for Quidditch already, and Amira's proposed practice schedule did not leave a lot of extra free time, but they'd been in the baking club the last two years and they didn't want to drop it and some of the new ones sounded interesting, too. Annette wanted to try fencing. Annabelle was indifferent toward it. Annabelle wanted to try dancing. Annette was indifferent to that. But neither twin could even conceive of joining a club without the other, so they agreed that if Annabelle went fencing with Annette, Annette would go dancing with Annabelle. So here they were.

They had - erroneously, as it turned out - assumed it would be ballroom dancing, as that was the first and last type of dancing that came to mind when they heard the word. As Virginia went through her introduction of the club and herself, however, they realized their mistake. Annette leaned over and whispered, "Okay, this'll be better than i thought," to her sister as Adam made his introduction.

She couldn't help covering a laugh as Charlie made his own introduction, and she was definitely feeling a lot better about her involvement as it came time for their own turn. "We are Annabelle and Annette Pierce," Annette told anyone who didn't already know, pointing to herself first, and then her identical twin. Nobody could tell them apart anyway, so she felt no qualms about implying that Annabelle was the one wearing blue and not purple today rather than the other way around. Annabelle was the oldest, so she was supposed to get introduced first, but it was Annette sitting beside Charlie so it was just easiest to trade names for the afternoon.

Annabelle did not contradict the appellation given to her. Instead, she tacitly agreed to it by continuing with the next part of their introduction. "We have experience with ballroom dancing as well. Like Mr. Spencer, we learned it with our etiquette lessons. However, we are very open to trying out new styles and, ah, 'busting out moves' with Mr. Boxton-Fox-Reynolds." The way she intoned the phrase Charlie had used made it clear she had never used those three words in sequence together before.

1 The Anns That's what makes the water room fun 246 The Anns 0 5

Ji-Eun Park

June 26, 2013 6:23 PM

That sounds awfully sinister... by Ji-Eun Park

Ji-Eun had been wanting to check out the dance room but she hadn't got the nerve up. In spite of Clara's reassurances, she couldn't shake the image of a strict portrait of a ballerina who would not take kindly to misuse of her premises. The push she needed came from the posters Virginia put up for a dance club. They specifically mentioned all kinds of dancing being welcome.

She slipped into the dance room, trying to look unobtrusive. She was wearing a long stripy t-shirt with a cat on the front and pink leggings which would be easy to move in. She had styled her hair simply in pigtails. She wasn't surprised when they started with introductions but she wished they wouldn't. She hated speaking to a big group of people and as they moved around the group she felt a sinking feeling. Everyone here danced properly. What if, what they had meant by 'all different styles' they meant waltzing and ballet and whatever else people did in proper lessons? If it had been possible to get across the room without anyone noticing, she thought she might have bolted. But then things got around to Charlie, the guy who'd done the pool party, and it turned out there was someone else a little like her here too. Except he had way more confidence than she did. Still, he just danced for fun, and no one seemed to be laughing at him or suggesting he left....

“Hi,” she said, when it got around to her. “My name's Ji-Eun but I don't mind people calling me Jane if it's easier. I'm like Charlie - I just dance at home. I like copying the dance routines of my favourite pop stars,” she explained, hesitating and deciding that for now she would not divulge the fact that no one would have ever heard of them because they were all Korean.

“But I'd be happy to learn other things too,” she added, as he had done.

13 Ji-Eun Park That sounds awfully sinister... 268 Ji-Eun Park 0 5

Keme RunningBear

June 27, 2013 9:42 PM

I would have to agree. by Keme RunningBear

Keme wasn’t really sure what had compelled him to join the dance club. He knew it would be a club full of girls. Girls didn’t bother him so much, but sometimes they were chattery and that didn’t always make him so happy. Sometimes people just overwhelmed him and he didn’t know what to do about it. He was growing better about it all, so he figured being exposed to them was helping. He knew that this sort of club rather than the book club or some other more academically inclined club would end up having the chatty girls or enthusiastic persons that bothered him so, but he had joined it anyway.

He had contemplated joining for a long time before actually signing up. He didn’t know dance really, but he had fun during the ball. He felt that maybe dance could help him better integrate with everyone else. He had joined fencing as well, but he thought that was actually useful to him back home. Keme thought it fit better with the hunting and tracking skills that he was learning from the tribe. He might have joined some other club for this, but he did not bake, did not ride horses, would be fine reading at his own leisure, did not enjoy fashion, and could not do art. But he could manage to dance.

Keme had come to the meeting but sat slightly away from everyone else so that he could assess the situation. He supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised by the second years who showed up to support the club hostess (although Adam was a little bit of a surprise as Keme didn’t know he was someone who enjoyed dance, but as he didn’t know much of him, that was a silly thing to assume). But he knew that this was going to be more difficult that he originally thought.

He listened quietly to all the others announce who they were and the sort of dancing they did. Some of them were more classically trained in things like ballet and ballroom, but he was relieved to find that there was a handful that just enjoyed dance for the thrill of dancing. He wasn’t sure if he necessarily enjoyed dancing, but it allowed him to have a capable and entertaining evening with Willow. It was now his turn to speak and Keme cleared his throat quietly. “Hello, I am Keme RunningBear.” He started, his dark eyes shifting between each person. “I do not have formal training or really any sort of dance experience. The only dances I know are tribal ones… But I joined because I thought it may help me…” he paused to try to figure out what was the best way to explain this, “adapt better.” That would do.

6 Keme RunningBear I would have to agree. 249 Keme RunningBear 0 5

Aubrielle Thornton and Darina Porter

July 03, 2013 11:24 AM

Sinister may not be the word for it by Aubrielle Thornton and Darina Porter

Aubrielle had seen the signups for Dance Club and jumped up and down excitedly. Sure, she knew she wasn’t the best dancer in the world, but she didn’t really have a teacher after Aunt Sophia passed on, so maybe she could get better with the club? Bri ran up to Rina, still excited and told her about the sign she’d seen. “Come on! Let’s go sign up!” she hopped up and down some more, seeing the smile on her little cousin’s face.

“Really?” Rina said excitedly. “Where’s the signups at?” she added, grinning from ear to ear. Rina loved to dance, though she didn’t really know much else other than Medieval dances and Ballroom dance, she’d always wanted to learn.

Bri dragged her cousin to the signup sheet and they both added their names to the list.

Aubrielle Thornton, fourth year, Teppenpaw
Darina Porter, first year, Teppenpaw

“I’m sooo excited! Can it be two oclock Saturday already?” Rina asked Bri.

“I don’t think time will change for us because we want Dance Club to start…” Bri answered, patting her little cousin on the top of her head. “Go on, time for you to go to class now, I’ll see you later!” Bri added to her, sending Darina off to whichever class she needed to go to and sitting down to eat in the hall to wait for her own next class.

***

Saturday morning arrived and Darina wouldn’t stop chattering about the club meeting later that afternoon. “Rina… Calm down…” Bri said to her as she sat trying to do a homework essay there in the Common Room.

“But its almost time to go! Come on Bri!” Rina said, fluttering around her older cousin in all of her excitement.

Brielle looked at the clock on the wall and sighed. “Alright, alright. We’ll leave now… Let me just put my books back upstairs.” Bri put her things upstairs and came back down. It’s a good thing that I dressed for dance club when I woke up… she thought as she saw Rina waiting for her.

“Come on little cousin…” Bri said, heading to the door and up to the MARS room for Dance.

Getting there, the pair saw Ginny and as she spoke, both introducing herself and telling them that she liked Ballet. After Ginny, Adam had his say in introducing himself and saying that he knew Ballroom Dancing. Rina smiled at the older boy, and watched as the others went on after Adam.

Bri smiled at Irina, the first year who’d gone next. This girl seemed to be popping up all over! Which was a good thing in Bri’s book. The girl seemed really nice and Bri couldn’t wait to help her get to know the others. But there was something in the girl’s eyes that read so much sadness… So much, but she didn’t know why or how she could help the girl other than to become her friend.

Rina marveled at Charlie, who went next in saying that he never had any formal dance training, but he wanted to learn. Rina wanted to make it a point to tell him that they could practice together, maybe there could be a show at the end of the year with what they’d learn? She’d LOVE to be his partner if he was up for it!

Bri smiled at Annette and Annabelle Pierce who spoke up next. The twins were very well known to her through her older sister Amira. They were on Pecari’s team too, even though that would probably mean disownment from their family for doing so and Bri felt as if there was many things she could learn from their determination to succeed still. She also knew that Annette had been really nice to Analea last year and she would do the same for the twins from now until the end of her school career if not longer. Bri smiled at what they said and actually giggled a little bit with the odd sound of whichever twin it had been that said they’d be happy to ‘bust a move’ with Charlie.

Rina actually laughed out loud at hearing it, but slapped her hand across her mouth in hearing how loud she’d been. When another first year spoke up, Ji-Eun (but she could be called Jane), and mentioned she only really danced at home, Rina also grinned at her. Yay for friends! she was glad she’d been able to come to school now, even though she really had wanted to go with Airlea to that school in the Yukon when she started to learn about it!

When Keme spoke, Bri watched, not really having heard him say anything before, and she smiled at him wanting to become better adapted to his surroundings. Rina smiled too, and pulled Bri’s shirt from going over to the boy. “You’ll scare him!” was all she said into her cousin’s ear.

Bri frowned, but nodded, knowing Rina was right, and when Keme finished, she spoke up. “I’m Aubrielle Thornton, and I used to get dance lessons from my aunt, but now its really whenever I do shows, but I really want to learn as much as I can.”

Rina followed behind her cousin and spoke, “And I’m Darina Porter, like most of the others, I’ve learned Ballroom Dancing with my etiquette lessons, but I also know quite a bit of Medieval Dances too.” she started. “And I can’t wait to learn more!” Turning to the next person to show them that it was their turn, she waited to see what would happen next.

0 Aubrielle Thornton and Darina Porter Sinister may not be the word for it 0 Aubrielle Thornton and Darina Porter 0 5

Francesca Wolseithcrafte

July 14, 2013 9:07 AM

It seems fairly apt to me. by Francesca Wolseithcrafte

Francesca was a believer in quality, not quantity, and had thus been a little unsure about joining any clubs. Whatever she did, she aimed to put her all into, and there was only so many times one could do that. She was already part of the Quidditch team and strove to get top grades in all her classes. However, the dance club was being run by Ginny. It seemed a good way to show her support for her friend and for them to spend more time together. She worried that, as the president of the club, Ginny would have lots of opportunities to make other friends, and Francesca didn't want her taken away from her. Dancing was also a respectable activity. It might attract other respectable people and give her the opportunity to socialise with them, as well perhaps lending some balance to her extra curriculars...

The first meeting proved to be a bit of a mixed bag, although there were definitely some proper people there, and they were mostly around her age, which was an advantage. Hopefully people like the strangely effeminate Teppenpaw boy and one the Ginger Army wouldn't drag down the reputation of the club too much. People at Sonora seemed more tolerant of socialising outside of one's class, but there were limits. Especially when one was trying to demonstrably prove that one was not a homosexual... She couldn't exactly see having Charlie as a friend, or even associate, as being advantageous to that cause.

“Good day,” she smiled at the group, “I am Francesca Wolseithcrafte,” at school she occasionally added that she was of the Wolseithcrafte family of Chicago. Although there weren't separate branches, it helped to use the format to indicate her status. However, none of the other Purebloods here had done so, so she refrained. She suspected the manner of dance she knew would be indicative enough. “I have learnt ballroom dancing since a young age. I am more familiar with ballet as a spectator, as my family holds season tickets to the Chicago Magical Ballet. It would be interesting to try it for myself though,” she smiled.

13 Francesca Wolseithcrafte It seems fairly apt to me. 250 Francesca Wolseithcrafte 0 5